Connectorized capillaries for use with separation instrumentation components
First Claim
1. A device for interconnecting a capillary tube to a conductivity flow cell used in a separation instrument comprising:
- a connectorized capillary consisting of a body having an internal cavity, the cavity running in parallel with the major axis of the body and tapering to a body end portion, the cavity having an outlet opening adjacent the tapered body end portion, the cavity having a capillary tube fastened therein, the body also having an annular threaded fastener disposed about an exterior surface of said body, and the body also having electrically conductive external surfaces;
a receptacle including a conductivity flow cell for performing separation instrumentation functions, the receptacle for accepting the body of the connectorized capillary, the receptacle including threaded portions for engaging the threads on the fastener of the connectorized capillary; and
means for electrically connecting the connectorized capillary to the conductivity flow cell, the external surfaces of the body of the connectorized capillary thereby providing electrical contact to the conductivity flow cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connectorized capillary and in-line flow cell system which greatly expedites the construction of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and other separation instrumentation. A capillary is mounted within a cavity formed in a body, and a mechanical fastener is positioned about the body. The inner diameter of the fastener is less than the outer diameter of the body, so that the connector may be firmly coupled to any system component having a corresponding portion adapted to accept the fastener. The connectorized capillaries thus permit permanent or semi-permanent attachment to various in-line flow cell devices such as detectors, valves, buffer reservoirs and the like. For example, an in-line conductivity detector is assembled by connecting a conductivity meter to the opposing ends of the flow cell body. Annular sensing surfaces can also be provided within the cell. The same basic flow cell structure can also be used as a discrete separation valve by forming two transverse openings in the flow cell body and by using a ferrule having a slotted or castleated end. The valve can be electrically operated by switching a ground reference electrode between two or more buffer reservoirs. The same connectorized capillaries may also be used with fused plate-type systems containing etched channels.
57 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A device for interconnecting a capillary tube to a conductivity flow cell used in a separation instrument comprising:
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a connectorized capillary consisting of a body having an internal cavity, the cavity running in parallel with the major axis of the body and tapering to a body end portion, the cavity having an outlet opening adjacent the tapered body end portion, the cavity having a capillary tube fastened therein, the body also having an annular threaded fastener disposed about an exterior surface of said body, and the body also having electrically conductive external surfaces; a receptacle including a conductivity flow cell for performing separation instrumentation functions, the receptacle for accepting the body of the connectorized capillary, the receptacle including threaded portions for engaging the threads on the fastener of the connectorized capillary; and means for electrically connecting the connectorized capillary to the conductivity flow cell, the external surfaces of the body of the connectorized capillary thereby providing electrical contact to the conductivity flow cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification